Deepavali treat for passengers: Airlines offer discounts, deals

Passengers can now save up to 30% on Economy and Premiere base fares across its network as well as its codeshare partners, Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

Published: 08th November 2018 09:14 AM 

Image of Jet Airways aircraft used for representation. (File photo | Reuters)

By Express News Service

BENGALURU: To mark its 13th anniversary, GoAir will offer up to 13 lakh seats for an all-inclusive fare of Rs 1,313. The special 13-day sale period, which opened on November 5 will be on till November 18, said an official release. It is valid for a travel period from November 5, 2018, to November 4, 2019. The offer will be on a first come, first serve basis.

In a statement, Cornelis Vrieswijk, CEO, GoAir said, “This milestone would not have been possible without the loyalty and support of millions of guests who have chosen to fly with us.”
This offer is available exclusively across GoAir networks (GoAir website www.goair.in, its ticketing counters, call centre and travel agents). It is not valid on infant bookings and the group discount is not applicable on this offer, the release added.

Jet Airways extends Deepavali sale

Due to popular demand during the festive season, Jet Airways has extended its Diwali sale for international and domestic travel up to midnight of November 11, said an official release. The seven-day offer period was initially slated to end on November 5.


Passengers can now save up to 30% on Economy and Premiere base fares across its network as well as its codeshare partners, Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. This will result in substantial savings of upto `54,680 on Premiere travel and `25,390 on international return bookings.

Guests can book one-way flights for as low as `6723 onwards for Mumbai-Muscat and `1998 onwards for Mumbai-Kochi. Guests travelling internationally can commence travel with immediate effect while premiere guests undertaking domestic travel can commence travel after a period of 8 days.

Thanjavur's Ranee Paradise theatre not to screen Sarkar, cites ‘distributor pressure’

Distributors have increased the minimum guarantee amount, which is supposed to be paid by the theatres to around Rs 40 lakh. This amount is really huge and unrecoverable by any legal means.

Published: 06th November 2018 12:51 AM |

By Navein Darshan

Express News Service

CHENNAI : Vijay’s long-awaited political thriller, Sarkar, may be getting released on Diwali to packed theatres, but Ranee Paradise, a Thanjavur theatre, won’t be one of them, after declaring that they will not be screening the film due to pressure from the local distributor to sell the tickets for the first few days for a price higher than two hundred rupees.

The theatre’s spokesperson also added on Twitter that it wants to screen good films in an ethical manner and that “actor Vijay should practise what he preaches”. The theatre’s owner Santhosh said more when we reached out to him: “The distributors of the film, La Cinemas, has the rights in Trichy and Thanjavur, after purchasing it for a huge sum of Rs 9 crore.



They have increased the minimum guarantee amount, which is supposed to be paid by the theatres to around Rs 40 lakh. This amount is really huge and unrecoverable by any legal means. We hadn’t paid anywhere close to this amount even for big films like Mersal and Endhiran. The distributors have been pressurising the theatre owners of our region to sell the tickets for a higher price in black, to recover this amount.”

He goes on to allege that Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (VMI) is behind the scam. “The theatre owners who don’t want to get their hands dirty have been asked to hand over tickets to VMI’s district leader, Vijay Saravanan, who would supposedly sell the tickets on their behalf. For instance, the local theatres, Jupiter and Shanthi, and GV Complex have sold roughly twelve thousand tickets through VMI for prices upto `600 per ticket,” Santhosh alleges. “Though they had put up housefull boards, these tickets were sold through VIM coupons in front of the theatre’s gates.”

Santhosh says it’s disheartening to imagine an actor who preaches so much about justice has turned a blind eye to this issue. “Stars like Vijay have a strong family audience base, but due to the enormous ticket price, they are actually afraid to come to theatres and the first day tickets in some theatres sometimes go unbooked. To be fair, I am not sure if Vijay is aware of this, but if he doesn’t regulate such malpractices, it will be a huge injustice.”

Ma Vetri Vel, his father, and the producer of the film, Arputha Theevu, says all his efforts to register an official complaint or bring the issue to SA Chandrasekar’s notice have been in vain. “I’ve been a part of Tamil cinema for 40 years, but in recent years, our industry is heading in a wrong direction. When I filed a complaint to Trichy Distributor Association’s Secretary against the high prices, he didn’t even take a step to send a verification team to the theatres, and despite being a good friend of mine, SA Chandrasekar hasn’t done anything about the issue.”

When we contacted SA Chandrasekar about this, he denied knowledge about such practices, and refused to comment on the issue.Meanwhile, Rakesh, the owner of Vettri Theatres in Chennai, states that the situation is not statewide and it might be a local problem in the Southern district zones. “We haven’t faced any pressure from the distributors asking us to sell tickets at an illegal price. According to law, multiplexes can charge a maximum price of two hundred rupees per ticket; so we’ve fixed that as the price for the first few days. We did the same for Kaala, and Mersal. The ticket prices will go back to our usual rates from Monday.”

Tamil Nadu: Divorced tailor ends life on Diwali over unfinished stitching orders

In order to support her family, Padmini took up stitching and within no time became famous for work in her locality.

Published: 07th November 2018 04:00 PM |

For representational purposes

By Express News Service

TIRUPUR: Upset over her inability to finish the stitching orders for Deepavali, a 41-year-old woman in Parpanna Nagar ended her life on Tuesday. The deceased identified as Padmini is a native of Musiri in Tiruchy district. Separated from her husband five years ago, Padmini had been living with her mother and two children - Thamizharisi and Lipinsagar.

In order to support her family, Padmini took up stitching and within no time became famous for work in her locality. Soon the number of orders which she was receiving doubled, helping her earn a goodwill among her neighbours.

During the festive season, Padmini was getting an excessive number of orders. her customers kept insisting her to take up more orders despite her refusal to take up any more stitching works.

According to the cops, Padmini had begun stitching the clothes a week ago so as to wrap up the orders quickly. Though she managed to stitch a maximum number of clothes, some of them took a backseat. The unfinished clothes reportedly prompted her to take this extreme step. Padmini allegedly consumed malachite and succumbed within a few hours on Tuesday morning.

She was declared brought dead in Tirupur Government Hospital. The police have booked a case and handed over her body to the relatives after conducting an autopsy.

Rush! Get your debit, credit cards replaced by December 31; Here's why
The RBI has ordered the banks to provide its existing, as well as new customers with the new EMV debit and credit cards. The old cards will be valid only till December 31, 2018.

Published: 08th November 2018 05:51 PM 

A photo of Debit and credit cards. (File Photo | Abraham Richard M)

By Sindhu Chandrasekaran

Online Desk

You must have been receiving repeated messages from your banks reminding you to upgrade your old debit and credit cards, which you most probably must have ignored, assuming it to be spam. Here's news for you then. Yes, your old cards (if they are not chip based) will be valid only till December 31. You need to replace your current cards with new ones if you have not done it already.

The Reserve Bank Of India (RBI) has ordered the banks to provide its existing, as well as new customers with the new EMV (Europay, Mastercard, Visa) cards. The RBI has decided to do so in order to protect your money from online predators.

Online banking fraud cases investigations have revealed that debit and credit card piracy has been a major issue. To curb this, the RBI has come out with the new chip-based EMV cards, which will help protect your money from the online predators. This directive is applicable to all the domestic, as well as international cards. The cards need to be replaced even if their expiry date happens to be after December 31, 2018.


According to RBI, As of June, there are over 39 million active credit cards and 944 million debit cards in the country.

Why EMV cards are better than stripe-only cards?

The existing debit and credit cards are magnetic stripe-only cards. The black magnetic strip behind your cards is called the magstripe. The strip is made of small magnets in which your account information is stored. When the card is swiped in the machine, the machine will process your account information and the transaction will take place.

The EMV cards, on the other hand, have a chip embedded on the card which contains all the account information in an encrypted format. When the card is used in the machine, it asks for the PIN, and only then the transaction will be completed. The chip-based card will not be read unless you enter the PIN, thus making it difficult for the fraudsters to access customer information. Some banks, offer these cards without a PIN. Instead, they use your signature for authentication. In order to rip information off EMV cards, the fraudster will have to access the physical chip circuit and draw your bank information from there. According to experts, this is next to impossible.

Why is EMV more secure?

The magnetic stripe cards are magnetised, as mentioned above, those magnets will store your account information. The main problem with the magstripe is that the data remains static, making it easy for a fraudster to capture it, if the card is used at a place where a cloning device if installed. Once the fraudster skims your card, he can easily create a fake or cloned card with your details and use it for purchases. Whereas an EMV card helps prevent frauds as the account information stored in it is dynamic, it keeps changing constantly, making it extremely difficult to extract information.

How to identify a magstripe debit/credit card?

If your card has only a black strip in the back and no gold coloured chip located on the face of your card at the center-left, then it is a magstripe. You need to get that replaced with the new EMV card.

How to apply for the new cards?

The replacement of existing debit and credit cards with the new EMV chip-based cards is free of cost. You can visit your bank with your passbook. You will have to fill a form requesting for a replacement card. Once you submit it, you will get your new chip-based card. Or, if you do not have time to you can also apply online.

Former Joint Director of Health held

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SALEM, NOVEMBER 09, 2018 00:00 IST

The scan centre run by her did not maintain mandatory records and registers

A former Joint Director of health services T. Chandra running a private hospital in Mettur town was taken into custody by the Mettur police on Thursday on the charge of not maintaining the mandatory records and registers of the scan centre functioning in the hospital.

She was held under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994.

Illegal practice

Health department sources said that the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMRHC) received complaints that the scan centre functioning in the private hospital run by Dr. Chandra in Mettur Dam area was indulging in the illegal practice of revealing the gender of foetus.

Surprise check

A team from the DMRHC, Chennai, comprising Natarajan, senior radiologist of Government Headquarters Hospital, Cuddalore, M. Kamalakannan Superintendent, and Thomas Prabhakaran, officer, both attached to the PCPNDT division of the DMRCH, Chennai, along with V. Sathya, Joint Director of Health Services, Salem and Suganthi, RMO, Government Headquarters Hospital, Mettur, conducted surprise check in the hospital and the scan centre.

Initially, they sent a pregnant woman to find out, whether she was revealing the gender of the foetus in violation of the PCPNDT Act.

The sources said that Dr. Chandra, however, got knowledge of the trap and did not reveal the gender of the foetus to the woman.

The special team, later entered the scan centre and conducted thorough check and found that the centre did not have the mandatory records and registers.

The team seized all the records and other registers.

Dr. Sathya told The Hindu that after holding inquiry, Dr. Chandra was handed over to the Mettur Police, who arrested her.

Hospital sealed

The officials sealed the hospital and the scan centre, late evening, sources added.

It may be recalled that only recently, the DMRHC team arrested a doctor and sealed his hospital and the scan centre in Edappadi town.

Rajinikanth condemns protests against Sarkar

CHENNAI, NOVEMBER 09, 2018 00:00 IST

Actor Rajinikanth on Thursday night put out a tweet saying he condemned the various protests against Sarkar . The film had got clearance from the Censor Board and was already running in theatres. So, it was not right to protest against it, tear banners, ask for deletion of scenes or stop its screening, he said.

Nurses wanted..toi 09.11.2018

Protests against Sabarimala order ‘unjustifiable,’ says HC

Kochi:09.11.2018

The Kerala high court on Thursday termed “unjustifiable” agitations launched by various groups against the Supreme Court verdict permitting entry of women of all age groups into the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.

Justice Sunil Thomas agreed with the state government’s contention that the protests and the violence that occurred recently at the hill shrine and its key entry points were against the apex court’s directives. “Agitations are unjustifiable,” the court said while dismissing a bail application filed by Govind Madhusoodan of Thrippunithura, who was arrested in connection with clashes with police at Nilackal, near Pamba, when the temple doors were opened for monthly puja last month.

“Agitations caused serious hardships to the devotees. If bail is granted in such cases, that may lead to repetition of similar incidents,” the court said. He was arrested for allegedly blocking vehicles at Nilackal and attempting to assault women devotees. Girls below 10 years and women above 50 have frequently prayed at the Lord Ayyappa temple in the past. However, the entry of women of all age groups has become a sensitive issue after the September 28 SC verdict.

Several journalists were attacked by devotees when the temple was opened for six days on October 17 for the first time after the SC order. Attempts by around a dozen women, including activists and journalists in the 10-50 age group, to script history came to a standstill as protests by devotees forced them to retreat.

On November 6, around 200 devotees tried to prevent a woman pilgrim from entering the hilltop shrine, suspecting her to be of menstrual age, and allegedly attacked a cameraman of a Malayalam television news channel. AGENCIES

TDB seeks explanation from head priest

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s apex temple body has sought an explanation from Sabarimala head priest Kandararu Rajeevaru over the revelation by the BJP state chief that he had consulted him before threatening the closure of the hill shrine if women in the menstrual age group entered it. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the Lord Ayyappa temple, however, made it clear Thursday that the procedure was just a formality as the ‘tantri’ had rejected the saffron party's claim. Devaswom Commissioner N Vasu recently sent a notice to Rajeevaru, seeking an explanation from him after the BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai’s claim had triggered a widespread controversy in the state.

“The TDB has full faith in the tantri. He has already rejected in public the BJP chief’s claim and explained his stand. We believe and respect his words,” TDB president A Padmakumar told PTI.

Actor Vijay is no stranger to run-ins with politicians
Nurtures Ambitions, But His Actions Lack Consistency

D.Govardan@timesgroup.com 09.11.2018

Actor Vijay and controversies go hand in hand. This has been the case for the past few years. More so after the actor started a welfare association of his fans, Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, through which he started distributing aid to the underprivileged. Even as they sensed his political ambitions, discomfited politicians took potshots at the actor.

While Vijay himself has hinted at a political entry from time to time, or most directly at the audio launch of his latest film ‘Sarkar’, his actions have been more of the ‘hit and run’ variety. They lacked consistency.

For instance, in 2009, he rushed all the way to New Delhi to meet Rahul Gandhi. The buzz then was Vijay wanted to become a leader of the Youth Congress, but he was found to be overage.

While this reportedly irked DMK, then ruling the state, he extended the support of his fans to the AIADMK in the 2011 assembly elections, after his film ‘Kaavalan’ faced trouble in getting enough theatres under the DMK regime. However, his bonhomie did not last long with the AIADMK and its chief J Jayalalithaa, as the star’s ‘Thalaivaa’ ran into trouble due to its tagline – ‘Time to Lead’ — in 2013. Despite Vijay and his film maker father S A Chandrasekharan rushing to Kodanad, they could not meet her. Eventually that film was promoted without the tagline.

Earlier, his ‘Thuppakki’ (2012) too courted trouble for fears over showing a minority community in bad light and later ‘Katthi’ also faced trouble from Tamil outfits, as the producer of the movie was alleged to be a close associate of former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse. In most of the cases, Vijay maintained silence, not the hallmark of an aspiring politician. This remains the case with last year’s issue over ‘Mersal’ and the latest ‘Sarkar’ row.

“Vijay has political ambitions and is using films as a powerful medium. As it happened with Rajinikanth and ‘Baasha’, it has become a pattern for actors including Vijay and Kamal Haasan to play around with politics in their films. While Vijay would be happy with the free publicity and hence remains silent, the fact that ‘Sarkar’ is produced by Sun Pictures has made it more controversial,” says political analyst M Kasinathan. “As for the ruling AIADMK, they utilized the opportunity to show that their cadres are still vibrant,”
he added.


‘SARKAR’ VS SARKAR: AIADMK men vandalised theatres and ripped apart posters, banners of actor Vijay and the film Sarkar in Kasi theatre (in pic) in Chennai and several other cinemas in Trichy, Tiruvarur and Mannargudi


A government that does not accept criticism will derail. The coterie of political traders will end soon. Good people will soon come to the ruling saddle

KAMAL HAASAN | ON TWITTER

‘LET PEOPLE, NOT FILMMAKERS, DECIDE ON FREEBIES’


State food minister R Kamaraj on Thursday said people who act and make films for commercial gains have no legitimate right to say what people should or should not do. The minister was reacting to a scene in the Vijay-starrer ‘Sarkar’, in which people were seen burning freebies distributed by the government. Speaking to reporters in Tiruvarur, Kamaraj slammed the makers of ‘Sarkar’ for showing the welfare schemes introduced by late chief minister J Jayalalithaa in a bad light. “Let people decide whether they want the freebies or not,” he said. The minister wanted the objectionable scenes to be removed from the film. Earlier, Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai said in Karur that filmmakers should exercise caution, adding, “Movies should not hurt public sentiment.”

‘EMOTIONAL OUTBURST TO JAYA CONVICTION’

Bus burning case: TN again recommends convicts’ early release

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:09.11.2018

The Tamil Nadu government has reiterated its recommendation for premature release of the three life convicts — AIADMK men — in the sensational Dharmapuri bus burning case. Governor Banwarilal Purohit had recently returned their files to the state government for reconsideration.

The EPS government had decided to prematurely release Ravindran,Muniappan and Nedunchezian, along with 1,600 prisoners on the sidelines of MGR’s birth centenary. Even as the governor was clearing other files, he chose to return the files pertaining to the three AIADMK men. The three have already served 11 years in prison. “The state sent its opinion reiterating its earlier position last week to Raj Bhavan, as the convicts had committed the crime with no intention whatsoever. The act was an emotional outburst when their leader was convicted,” said a top government source. The governor’s office is sitting on yet another file, pertaining to the release of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassins. The state cabinet had recommended their release in September.

The government has been recommending release of people sentenced to life imprisonment based on the orders of the Supreme Court, said the official and added, “The Dharmapuri convicts are eligible for release as per SC orders. The government sticks to its stand for their premature release,” he said.

The three were charged with torching a bus at Ilakiyampatti near Dharmapuri, in which three students of Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore, were charred to death. The bus was burnt as part of the state-wide protests by AIADMK men when former CM J Jayalalithaa was convicted in a criminal case. On a review petition, the Supreme Court commuted the death sentence of all three to life imprisonment in 2016.

New norms leave AU profs hunting for PhD aspirants

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:09.11.2018

A section of professors at Anna University, the state’s premier technical education institute, is on a search for research scholars to satisfy the new promotion policy rules that mandate guiding at least one candidate for PhD. The rules also make it compulsory for an assistant professor to supervise one scholar through a doctorate to become an associate professor.

Until recently, most students preferred ‘lenient’ faculty members as their PhD guides, leaving teachers considered strict in the lurch. Official data suggests that some teachers were guiding more than a dozen PhD candidates each at a time when others were struggling to find even a single student.

This is in contravention of the university statute which allows a supervisor to guide only 12 PhD students simultaneously.

Discrepancies were noticed even in top government institutions, functioning under the university in Chennai, particularly among faculty members of the departments of electronics and information technology.

One faculty member from the College of Engineering, Guindy (CEG), said the university’s statute was not on a par with the guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC), apex body governing higher education in India. The guidelines say that one faculty member can be attached to only eight students at a time. “When other state varsities like University of Madras are following UGC’s guidelines, Anna University has been conveniently neglecting it,” he added, on a condition of anonymity.

Anna University vicechancellor M K Surappa said changes had been brought during an academic council meeting. “The upper ceiling has been reduced from 12 to 8 now,” he said.

Some aggrieved CEG teachers also want the university to do away the norm mandating PhD aspirants to get the consent of the supervisor concerned while applying for the doctorate programme. “Ideally, a committee led by the Heads of the Departments (HODs) should allot supervisors to applicants based on the area of interest. Instead here the students are allowed to choose their supervisors. This will have an adverse impact on the quality of PhD produced,” the faculty member added.

Surappa said they planned to increase the bar further so that not every applicant gets an opportunity to do PhD in CEG, AC Tech and School of Architecture and Planning in Guindy and Madras Institute of Technology in Chromepet.

Anna University holds the record for producing the most number of PhDs in the country, churning out, on an average, three a day.

Changes had been brought during an academic council meeting. The upper ceiling (on guiding PhD students) has been reduced from 12 to 8 now

M K Surappa |

ANNA UNIVERSITY VC

Cops stop funeral of 17-year-old boy who committed suicide

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.11.2018

Police stopped the funeral ceremony of a 17-yearold boy, who committed suicide by hanging at his house, and sent his body for autopsy to the Government General Hospital on Wednesday.

Police said the deceased identified as P Nagaraj was a first-year Bcom student at a private arts and science college in Thirumullaivoyal. Suspicion grew over the boy’s death after his family members organised his funeral in a hurry. After which, some of the neighbours alerted police. Preliminary inquiries revealed that Nagaraj often played online games with his friends on his mobile, which irritated his parents.

Recently, Nagaraj’s father Pothiraj chided him for not listening to his advice and asked him to focus on his studies. Upset over this, Nagaraj stayed aloof for a couple of days and stopped talking to friends and family members. On Wednesday, Nagaraj locked himself in a room at his house and took the extreme decision. As there was no response when family members knocked at the room, they broke open the door and found Nagaraj hanging from the ceiling.

Suspicion grew over the boy’s death after his family members organised his funeral in a hurry. After which, some of the neighbours alerted police

IRCTC introduces 15-day ‘Ramayana yatra’ package

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.11.2018

For ₹15,830 per person, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation will take you on a 15-day Ramayana tour which will cover Hampi, Nasik, Ayodhya, Rameswaram and a few other locations in a sleeper class train as well as tour escorts, security, non-ac buses for sightseeing and accomodation in a non ac hall or domitory for night stay.

Titled ‘Ramayana Yatra’, the tour will start on November 14, IRCTC said in a statement. For reservations and queries, interested people can contact 9003140680 and 9003140681 .

This is part of IRCTC’s initative to run Bharat Darshan tour packages, rail tour packages, LTC packages and educational tours for schools and colleges, an official said.

Similarly, IRCTC has also introduced three other packages for which bookings are currently open. The ‘Splendors of Deccan’ package includes visits to Hyderabad, Aurangabad, Ajantha, Ellora Mumbai and Goa. This will be for 10 days at a cost of ₹10,100 each, starting from December 2.

A Goa special package for five days at a cost of ₹4725 per person and the Mookambika special, s involving a trip to Murudeshwar, Kollur, Mookambika, Sringeri, Horanadu and Dharmasthala at a cost of ₹6930 per person starts from December 14.

Central and state government employees can avail LTC for the above tours, IRCTC said.

Colleges start courses without univ nod, ask for waiver of penalty
Siddharth.Prabhakar@timesgroup.com

Chennai:09.11.2018

University of Madras continues to find a host of irregularities in affiliated colleges, where students are admitted to unapproved courses, which are sought to be ratified by the syndicates citing the ‘future of students’. The university, which imposes a penalty of ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 per student admitted to such courses, gets requests a year later, asking for waiver of the penal fee, thereby whitewashing questions of quality raised by the university inspection committees.

The university is the regulatory authority to ensure quality of education in affiliated colleges by considering commensurate facilities like principal, teaching faculty, library and lab facilities, based on which it approves a certain student strength for the course. Approval is denied to colleges if deficiencies are found in any of these pre-requisites. The university, however, has found that some colleges openly flout approval norms. The degrees given to students in such courses are not valid.

In some cases, the university inspection committee itself failed to flag serious lapses on the part of the college, while reporting them to the syndicate.

For instance, a college in Medavakkam applied for permission to start a BSc Visual Communication course for the academic year 2018-19. Two committees inspected the college and gave a green signal. The university, however, later found that the official who was designated as the principal had actually retired from service but still held the post. This is a violation, sources said.

In another case, a women’s college in Red Hills admitted around 350 students for a course which had no approval. The university fined the institute ₹35 lakh, which was brought down to ₹3.5 lakh with a request to ratify the course in the interest of ‘upliftment of rural, downtrodden girl students’.

In a third case, a management institute which ran MBA and MCA courses for six years without proper approval, was fined ₹34.8 lakh. In July, they wrote to the university asking for a waiver of the penalty as they were in a dire financial condition due to dwindling admissions.

“Self-financing colleges don’t get grants from the government and hence don’t appoint faculty and principals. We are going to conduct a special drive to check this issue,” said P Duraisamy, vice-chancellor of University of Madras.

University of Madras

ஆமதாபாத் நகர் பெயர் 'கர்ணாவதி' ஆக மாற்றம்

Added : நவ 07, 2018 23:23

ஆமதாபாத்:குஜராத் மாநிலத்தில் உள்ள ஆமதாபாத் நகரின் பெயர், 'கர்ணாவதி' என மாற்றப்படும் என, அம்மாநில அரசு அறிவித்துள்ளது.
குஜராத்தில், முதல்வர் விஜய் ரூபானி தலைமையிலான, பா.ஜ., ஆட்சி நடக்கிறது.இங்கு, ஆமதாபாத் நகரின் பெயரை, 'கர்ணாவதி' என மாற்றுவது குறித்து, மாநில துணை முதல்வர் நிதின் படேல் கூறியதாவது:கடந்த, 11ம் நுாற்றாண்டில், 'ஆஷ்வால்' என்றழைக்கப்பட்ட பகுதியை, 'பீல்' வம்ச ஆட்சியாளர்களுடன் போரிட்டு, சாளுக்கிய வம்சத்தினர் வெற்றி பெற்றனர். சபர்மதி ஆறு பகுதியில் அமைந்த இந்த நகருக்கு, 'கர்ணாவதி' என பெயரிட்டனர்.

பின், முகமதியர்களின் ஆட்சிக் காலத்தில், கர்ணாவதியை கைப்பற்றிய சுல்தான் அஹமது ஷா, 'அஹமதாபாத்' என, பெயர் மாற்றம் செய்தார்.மக்களின் நீண்ட கால கோரிக்கையை அடுத்து, இந்த நகரின் பெயர், கர்ணாவதி என மாற்றம் செய்ய முடிவு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

உத்தர பிரதேச மாநிலத்தில் உள்ள அலகாபாத் நகரம், சமீபத்தில், 'பிரயாக் ராஜ்' என பெயர் மாற்றம் செய்யப்பட்டது. 'பைசாபாத் மாவட்டம்அயோத்தி மாவட்டமாக மாற்றப்படும்' என அம்மாநில முதல்வர் யோகி ஆதித்யநாத் தீபாவளியன்று அறிவித்தது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

மாவட்ட செய்திகள்

தீபாவளியன்று இனிப்பு சாப்பிட்டதால் ‘உஷார்’: ரத்த பரிசோதனை நிலையங்களில் குவிந்த சர்க்கரை நோயாளிகள்



தீபாவளியன்று இனிப்பு சாப்பிட்டு விட்டதால், உஷார் அடைந்த சர்க்கரை நோயாளிகள் ரத்த பரிசோதனை நிலையங்களில் சர்க்கரை அளவை பார்க்க திரண்டனர்.

பதிவு: நவம்பர் 08, 2018 04:45 AM
சென்னை,

புத்தாடை உடுத்தி, இனிப்புகள் உண்டு, பட்டாசு வெடித்தலே தீபாவளி பண்டிகையின் உண்மையான மகிழ்ச்சி ஆகும். என்னதான் இனிப்புகளை விட்டு தூர ஒதுங்கி இருக்கும் சர்க்கரை நோயாளிகள், பண்டிகை நாட்களில் கொஞ்சம் இனிப்புகளை சாப்பிட ஆசைப்படுவது வழக்கம். அந்த ஆசை தீபாவளியன்று பேராசையாக மாறிவிடும்.

எனவே கொஞ்சம் சாப்பிட்டால் தப்பில்லை என்ற ரீதியிலும், நாவை கட்டுப்படுத்த முடியாமலும் சர்க்கரை நோயாளிகள் தங்கள் கட்டுப்பாட்டுக்கு நேற்று விடுமுறை அளித்தனர். அந்தவகையில் நேற்று தித்திக்கும் இனிப்புகளில் தீராத ஆசையால் ருசிபார்த்த சர்க்கரை நோயாளிகள் ஏராளம்.

ரத்த பரிசோதனை கூடங்கள்

எப்போதுமே ரத்தத்தில் உள்ள சர்க்கரையின் அளவு எவ்வளவு? என்பதில் சர்க்கரை நோயாளிகள் விழிப்புடன் இருப்பார்கள். அந்தவகையில் நேற்று முன்தினம் இனிப்புகள் சாப்பிட்ட மகிழ்ச்சியில் திளைத்த சர்க்கரை நோயாளிகள், நேற்று ‘உஷார்’ அடைந்தனர். இதனால் காலை முதலே வீடுகளின் அருகேயுள்ள ரத்த பரிசோதனை கூடங்களை ஆக்கிரமிக்க தொடங்கினர்.

ஆய்வின் முடிவுகளை தெரிந்து கொண்ட பின்னரே சர்க்கரை நோயாளிகள் ஓரளவு நேற்று நிம்மதி அடைந்தனர். ரத்தத்தில் சர்க்கரை அளவு கொஞ்சம் கூடியிருந்ததால் அதிர்ச்சி அடைந்த சிலர், அருகில் உள்ளவரின் ஆய்வு முடிவுகளை பார்த்து மனதை தேற்றிக்கொண்டனர்.

அரசு ஆஸ்பத்திரிகளிலும்...

அரசு ஆஸ்பத்திரிகளிலும் நேற்று ரத்த பரிசோதனை செய்து கொள்ள ஏராளமானோர் வந்திருந்தனர். அந்தவகையில் சென்னை அரசு ஆஸ்பத்திரிகளில் நேற்று 400-க்கும் அதிகமானோர் படையெடுத்தனர். இதில் கீழ்ப்பாக்கம் அரசு ஆஸ்பத்திரிக்கு மட்டும் 240 பேர் வந்திருந்தனர் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

சிலர் தங்கள் வீடுகளிலேயே சர்க்கரை அளவை காண்பிக்கும் கருவிகள் மூலம் சுயமாக பரிசோதனை செய்து ரத்தத்தின் சர்க்கரை அளவை சோதித்து கொண்டனர்.

தலையங்கம்

ரூபாய் கொடுத்து கச்சா எண்ணெய்



ஆதிகாலத்தில் மனிதன் தன்னிடம் உள்ள பொருட்களை மட்டும் பயன்படுத்திக்கொண்டு வாழ்ந்து வந்தான்.

நவம்பர் 08 2018, 04:00

ஆதிகாலத்தில் மனிதன் தன்னிடம் உள்ள பொருட்களை மட்டும் பயன்படுத்திக்கொண்டு வாழ்ந்து வந்தான். ஒரு கட்டத்தில் தன்னிடமில்லாத பொருள் மற்றவர்களிடம் இருக்கும்போது, அதைபெறுவதற்கு தன்னிடம் உள்ள பொருளை கொடுத்து அதை வாங்கிக்கொள்ளும் பண்டமாற்று முறையை கடைப்பிடித்தான். ஒருகட்டத்தில் இவ்வாறான நேரடியாக பண்டமாற்று முறையில் உள்ள சங்கடங்களை சமாளிக்க, ஒவ்வொரு பொருளையும் உரியமுறையில் மதிப்பீடு செய்து அதற்கான ஒரு மைய அடையாளத்தைவைத்து, அதன்மூலம் தேவையான பொருட்களை வாங்கத்தொடங்கினான். மதிப்பீட்டு அடையாளமாக முதலில் தங்க கட்டிகள் என்று தொடங்கி தங்கம், வெள்ளி, செம்பு, இரும்பு என்று வட்டவடிவிலான காசுகளாக வெளிவந்தன. கி.பி.740 முதல் இந்த உலோக நாணயங்கள் காகிதப்பணமாக மாறின.


இந்தியாவில் 1862 முதல் காகிதத்தில் ரூபாய் நோட்டுகள் வெளிவரத்தொடங்கின. இந்தியாவில் ரூபாய் நோட்டு என்று சொல்வதுபோல, அமெரிக்காவில் டாலர் என்றும், ஐரோப்பிய நாடுகள் கூட்டமைப்பில் யூரோ என்றும், சீனாவில் யுவான் என்றும், இங்கிலாந்தில் பவுண்டு ஸ்டெர்லிங் என்றும், ஐக்கிய அரபு நாடுகளில் திர்ஹாம் என இப்படி ஒவ்வொரு நாட்டிலும் அவர்கள் பணத்திற்கு ஒவ்வொரு பெயர் இருக்கிறது. இதில் அமெரிக்க டாலர்தான் வலுவுள்ளதாக இருப்பதால் அதற்கு இணையான மதிப்பை வைத்துத்தான் சர்வதேச வர்த்தகங்கள் நடக்கிறது. ஒரு நாட்டின் பணமதிப்பே அமெரிக்கா டாலருக்கு இணையாக அவர்களின் கரன்சி எவ்வளவு இருக்கிறதோ? அதை வைத்துதான் மதிப்பிடப்படுகிறது.

இந்தநிலையில், அமெரிக்கா, ஈரான் நாட்டின்மீது பொருளாதார தடைவிதித்திருந்தது. இந்ததடை இந்தியாவுக்கு பெரும்பாதிப்பை ஏற்படுத்திவிடும் என்று அஞ்சப்பட்டது. ஏனெனில் ஈரானிலிருந்து, இந்தியா பெருமளவில் கச்சா எண்ணெய் இறக்குமதி செய்யவேண்டிய நிலையில் இருக்கிறது. இந்தியா உள்பட 8 நாடுகள் மட்டும் 180 நாட்கள் ஈரானிலிருந்து கச்சா எண்ணெய்யை இறக்குமதி செய்யலாம் என்று இப்போது அமெரிக்கா விலக்கு அளித்திருக்கிறது. ஈரானுக்கும், அமெரிக்காவுக்கும் உள்ள உறவு கசப்பாக இருப்பதால், டாலர் மூலம் வர்த்தகம் செய்யமுடியாது. இந்தநிலையில், ஈரானிலிருந்து முழுக்கமுழுக்க இந்தியப்பணத்தைக் கொடுத்தே கச்சா எண்ணெய் வாங்கிக்கொள்ள முடிவு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. நம்மிடமிருந்து இந்திய ரூபாயாக ஈரான் கச்சா எண்ணெய்க்கு பெற்றுக்கொண்டு, அந்தப்பணத்தை வைத்துக்கொண்டு இந்தியாவிலிருந்து இறக்குமதி செய்யும் பொருட்களுக்கு சரிசெய்துகொள்ளும். இதுபோல, சமீபத்தில் பிரதமர் மோடி ஜப்பான் சென்றபோது இந்தியா–ஜப்பான் இடையே ரூ.7,500 கோடி மதிப்பிலான டாலர் தொகையை இந்திய –ஜப்பான் கரன்சிகளில் பரிவர்த்தனை செய்வதாக முடிவு எடுக்கப்பட்டது. இதன்மூலம் இந்தியாவில் அன்னிய செலாவணி சந்தையிலும், முதலீட்டு சந்தையிலும் ஒரு ஸ்திரத்தன்மை ஏற்படும். இவ்வாறு ரூபாய் நோட்டுகள் மூலம் வர்த்தகம் செய்யும்முறை நிச்சயமாக வரவேற்புக்குரிய செயல். இதுபோல, சீனாவோடு நாம் மேற்கொள்ளும் வர்த்தகங்களிலும் ரூபாய் நோட்டு–யுவான் அடிப்படையிலேயே வர்த்தகம் மேற்கொள்ள மத்திய அரசாங்கம் முயற்சிக்கவேண்டும். ஏனெனில், இந்தியாவின் மிகப்பெரிய வர்த்தகநாடு சீனாதான். அந்தவகையில், ரூபாய்நோட்டு மற்றும் யுவானில் வர்த்தகம் செய்யவும் முடிவுகள் மேற்கொண்டால், இருநாடுகளுக்கும் நன்மை கிடைக்கும். ஆனால், ரூபாய்நோட்டுகளிலேயே வர்த்தகம் நடக்கும்போது, அன்னிய செலாவணியின் இருப்பு குறையுமா?, அதன் விளைவுகள் என்ன என்பது போகப்போகத்தான் தெரியும்.

Finance Dept. rejects RTI plea on salary donation

G. Krishnakumar

KOCHI, NOVEMBER 08, 2018 00:00 IST

Info sought was on staff who agreed to contribute

The Finance Department has refused to disclose the number of employees who have agreed to donate a month’s salary to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) under the government’s ‘salary challenge’ initiative.

A Right to Information (RTI) application filed by The Hindu (on October 24, 2018) had sought the latest information on the department/institution-wise information on the number of employees who had agreed to donate a month’s salary to the CMDRF.

“The information sought is available on the Service and Payroll Administrative Repository for Kerala (SPARK). However, it has not been published and collected and hence cannot be made available as per Section 2 (f) of chapter I of the RTI Act, 2005,” said Binu M. Sayani, under secretary and State Public Information Officer, Finance Department, in a letter dated October 22.

Section 2 (f) defines ‘information’ as material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form, and information related to any private body, which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force.

The Finance Department also declined to provide information on the total donation that would have come into the relief fund if all the government employees had agreed to join the drive.

The RTI reply stated that the donations received under the salary challenge initiative will be deposited in a treasury account opened in the name of the Principal Secretary, Finance Department. It will be used for various rehabilitation projects being planned after the devastating floods that hit the State. It also revealed that Rs. 1,680.87 crore was received under the CMDRF as on October 8.

Minister warns of action against Sarkar

NOVEMBER 08, 2018 00:00 IST

Kadambur C. Raju

The Minister contended that a few scenes in the film disparaged the government and its policies by showing broken-down freebies being taken in carts.

“The Censor Board, functioning with the members appointed by the Union government, should have taken note of this while issuing the certificate [for the film],” he said.

Mr. Raju alleged that since the film was produced by Sun Pictures — owned by Kalanithi Maran, a close relative of DMK president M.K. Stalin — it was made with a political motive, and added that the people will find it unacceptable.

Poll preparations

The Minister took part in a party meeting at Chinthalakkarai to review the preparations for the impending bypoll to the Vilathikulam constituency. He said that bypolls would be held in 18 Assembly segments, which had lost their MLAs owing to disqualification, and in two other constituencies — Thiruvarur and Tirupparankundram — owing to the demise of their respective MLAs. Elections in these segments could be held along with, or separate from, the parliamentary polls in 2019, he said.

The AIADMK was ready to face the polls, and the party had already begun preparing for them by appointing polling station agents following a meeting at the party headquarters. Ministers had been appointed as in-charges of bypoll-bound Assembly segments, the Minister said. Before November 15, six AIADMK cadre would be posted for canvassing the votes.

“Since the AIADMK was founded by the late M.G. Ramachandran, the party has registered a resounding victory in Ottapidaram on seven out of 10 occasions, while Vilathikulam has elected an AIADMK candidate on eight out of 10 occasions. So, we will retain these segments with a huge margin of over a lakh votes,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, Law Minister C.Ve. Shanmugam hit out at the makers of the film, saying government schemes had been criticised in a manner that would amount to instigating the people to resort to violence. The film reportedly had scenes where freebies were set on fire.

Villain’s name

Mr. Shanmugam said that, in his view, the actor, producer and theatres screening the film had to face prosecution.

Higher Education Minister K.P. Anbalagam objected to scenes deriding freebies, saying people had benefited from such schemes.

A section of AIADMK leaders also objected to the female villain character in the film being given the name Komalavalli — the maiden name of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

Sarkar beats box office records

Sanjay VijayakumarSangeetha Kandavel

NOVEMBER 08, 2018 00:00 IST

Vijay-starrer Sarkar has swept the box office and has broken all records by grossing over Rs. 30 crore on Day 1 in Tamil Nadu, the best ever collection for a Tamil film, according to industry sources.

The movie, produced by Kalanithi Maran’s Sun Pictures and released on November 6, surpassed the previous record created by the hero’s 2017 release Mersal, which collected Rs. 23 crore on Day 1. No doubt, the cash register rang loud also because there were no other big ticket releases this Deepavali.

In Chennai city too, the movie created a record. It grossed about Rs. 2.41 crore from 70 screens on Day 1, according to industry estimates. The previous best collection for the city hovered around Rs. 1 to Rs. 1.45 crore, sources said.

According to industry sources, Sarkar was released in about 750 screens and it is estimated that 15 lakh people watched it on Day 1. They also estimate that about 10 to 12 lakh would have watched the movie on November 7.

According to film producer and distributor Dhananjayan, Deepavali and Pongal are two big festivals that result in good box office collections for the industry.

“A big star movie release and 360 degree marketing by Sun Pictures aided to the phenomenal collections,” he added.

“There is a movie screen playing Sarkar within every two kilometres. 80% of the 1,000-odd screens in Tamil Nadu is playing this film until this weekend. Even in tier II and tier III towns, the film has opened phenomenally. Sarkar is the most widely released Tamil film worldwide,” Sreedhar Pillai, entertainment industry analyst, said.

“Bookings have been very good, as expected for a Vijay film. There was tremendous pressure for November 6 and 7 as well as for the coming weekend. We have scheduled 500 shows for the film this week to meet the demand,” Udeep B., managing director of Mayajaal said.

Theatre owners across Madurai and neighbouring districts said that the first day response was good because there were no other big films this festive season. Theatres in Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichy saw huge corporate bookings, they said.

Nilikesh Surya, executive director, Rohini Silver Screens, said the movie had a good opening, but that weekend bookings seemed to have slowed down post reviews.

According to sources, some popular theatres sold counter tickets at a premium, in the range of Rs. 700 to Rs. 1,000 each for the first two shows on Tuesday, well over the government prescribed limits.

“The collections have been extraordinary. No other big release was one of the driving factors. Also big names Sun Pictures, Vijay, A.R. Murugadoss and A.R. Rahman coming together and the kind of publicity Sun Group gave to the movie all helped in its success,” Abirami Ramanathan, president of Theatre Owners Association, said.

Mixed response to MKU’s new system in examinations

Pon Vasanth B.A

NOVEMBER 08, 2018 00:00 IST

Hall tickets can now be downloaded by students

Madurai Kamaraj University’s new hall ticket issuance system allowing students of non-autonomous colleges affiliated to it to directly download hall tickets has received mixed response.

The system has largely been welcomed by students except for technical glitches faced by many during downloading of the hall tickets. A section of faculty and administrative staff in colleges, however, say the new system has taken away control from them.

Until now, all colleges sent their staff to the university to collect printed copies of the hall tickets, which were subsequently distributed to students by their administration.

“Under that system, control lay with the colleges. Issuance of hall tickets is the last weapon we have to ensure that students cleared all pending fees and other dues. With the new system, there is no way to enforce this,” the Principal of an affiliated college in Virudhunagar district pointed out.

According to a faculty member of a constituent college, the new system also made it difficult to ensure that students with shortage of attendance are not allowed to sit for exam.

“We send the list of eligible students to the university much before the examination after calculating their attendance at the time. However, there is a possibility that they may miss classes later, resulting in shortage of attendance,” the faculty member said.

As per MKU regulations, a student must maintain a minimum of 75% attendance to appear for the examinations. Students have to pay a fine if it falls between 60% and 75%. When the attendance hovers between 50% and 60%, they will be allowed to appear for the exams only in the subsequent semester along with fine. If it falls below 50%, students must redo their semester. The regulations cannot be enforced under the new system.

Some of the colleges are attempting to circumvent the new system by enforcing an additional condition that the hall tickets will be considered valid only if it carries a seal from the college, the faculty member said. “So, the students have to download the hall ticket and bring them to the college to get the seal.”

Welcoming the new system, the Principal of another college in Madurai says the university can make it a win-win situation by giving online access to colleges to download the hall tickets and distribute them to students. “This will also avoid heavy traffic to the university’s website as it happened this time and the server crashed.”

The new system has been introduced with the interest of students in mind, says O. Ravi, Controller of Examination, MKU. “While colleges are raising their concerns now, we hear from students that many colleges are using hall tickets as a tool to charge unnecessary fee and threaten them.”

Colleges can find other ways to collect the fee that are legitimately due instead of using hall tickets as a tool, he adds.

We hear from students that many colleges are using hall tickets as a tool to charge unnecessary fee

O. Ravi

Controller of Examination, MKU

‘Wall of Kindness’ comes up at Vellore Medical College Hospital

STAFF REPORTER

VELLORE, NOVEMBER 08, 2018 00:00 IST

Happy faces:Children pick up clothes at the Department of Paediatrics, Government Vellore Medical College Hospital.C. Venkatachalapathy 

Such an initiative was first started in Tirunelveli district

Like the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children, Egmore, the Department of Paediatrics of Government Vellore Medical College Hospital (GVMCH) has set up a “Wall of Kindness” ( Anbu Suvar ) to receive contributions for children admitted to the hospital.

E. Theranirajan, head of department, Paediatrics, GVMCH, said the initiative was launched on Saturday with staff including doctors, nurses from a number of departments coming forward to contribute clothes for children. GVMCH dean R. Shantimalar launched the initiative at the department.

Similar facility

“Such a ‘wall of kindness’ was first started in Tirunelveli district. We wanted to set up a similar facility to cater to the needs of children admitted here. We have deputed a staff to manage the wardrobe and accept contributions. We have made it clear that no torn clothes should be contributed,” he said. He added that sometimes, mothers, who admit their children to the hospital during late hours in emergency cases, do not carry additional clothes and are in need of clothes for them and the children.

“So far, people have donated clothes including new ones, bedsheets, towels and toys. They can also contribute stationery items such as pencils, notebooks for the children.

“We have asked the parents to select and take the required things from the wardrobe. It will be kept open,” he said.

AAO award for Tirunelveli doctor

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

TIRUNELVELI, NOVEMBER 08, 2018 00:00 IST



Lional Raj (right) receives the award fromRichard Abbott, General Secretary, American Academy of Ophthalmology, in Chicago recently.

Renowned corneal surgeon and Regional Medical Director of Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospitals (Tirunelveli) D. Lional Raj has won a prestigious award instituted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology for his presentation in its conference held in Chicago recently.

Dr. Lional Raj was awarded ‘International Ophthalmologist Education Award’ for his continuous researches in corneal surgical procedures and refractive surgeries during the year 2018 and subsequent publication of his allied studies.

In American Academy of Ophthalmology 2018 Conference, the only Indian ophthalmologist to receive the ‘Global Video Contest Award’ was Dr. Lional Raj for his research titled ‘War on posterior corneal infections’. This video will appear on the ONE Network’s Global Ophthalmology (GO), a guide for ophthalmologists across the globe by offering educational material reflecting local expertise and a unique perspective.

Dr. Lional Raj had been honoured with nine international awards in the last two years, a statement from Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospitals said.

HC rider on employment under compassionate grounds

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, NOVEMBER 08, 2018 00:00 IST



The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has suggested to the government to consider passing a G.O. based on its suggestions.G_Moorthy 

Court was hearing a batch of pleas seeking a direction in this regard


Taking into account the number of pending service matters, particularly those relating to employment under compassionate grounds, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has suggested to the government to consider passing a Government Order based on its suggestions.

Justice S. Vaidyanathan suggested that application for compassionate appointments be made within one year from the date of death of the government employee as against the current three-year period.

The court suggested that the government drop the eligibly norms for Class IV employees. For the appointment to the post of sweeper, there was no need to prescribe any qualification; it could be ensured that the person to be appointed knew to read, write, ride bicycle or two-wheeler and carry out household and office works. The request for appointment on compassionate grounds for a child in the womb, by seeking reservation on one post till the child attained majority, could not be entertained, the court said.

Whenever an application was made seeking compassionate appointment, it must be decided within a period of three months. If a decision was not taken within three months, the officer concerned should be removed and posted in a non-sensitive post. The documents sought by the authorities should be uploaded so that there would no difference of opinion among the parties with regard to non-consideration of documents for scrutiny, the court said.

The court added that in case the compassionate appointment was considered for any person other than the spouse of the deceased, then 25% of the gross monthly income should be paid to the spouse after tax deduction. This measure had to be taken in order to protect such spouses in their old age.

The court reiterated that compassionate appointments were not a back door entry appointments and were based on rules, regulations, guidelines and government orders. However, it was not a usual recruitment process and required satisfaction of requirements under the contemplated rules.

The court passed the common order while hearing petitions seeking a direction to be considered for appointment under compassionate grounds.

IRCTC rolls out Bharat Darshan train tours

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, NOVEMBER 08, 2018 00:00 IST

Ramayana yatra to be introduced

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has announced four Bharat Darshan Tours that will be operated during November and December 2018.

For the first time, the IRTC is introducing the Ramayana yatra as part of the tour in South India.

According to L. Ravikumar, additional general manager, tourism, IRCTC, the Ramayana yatra will start on November 14 from Madurai Junction and will cover places like Hampi, Chitrakut Dam, Janakpuri (Nepal) and other places associated with the epic. The entire tour will be for 15 days and will cost Rs. 15,830 per person. The other tour is Splendours of Deccan that will start from Madurai on December 2 and will cover places like Hyderabad, Aurangabad and will end at Goa.

This will be a 10-day tour and will cost Rs. 10,100 per person. The Goa special will start on December 12 from Madurai and is a five-day programme priced at Rs. 4,725.

The Mookambika special will start on December 14 from Madurai and will cover places including, Dharmastala, Sringeri among other places in Karnataka. The tour will cost Rs. 6,930.

The train journey will be in sleeper class and accommodation will be in non air-conditioned dormitory. “Only people who have booked the respective tour will be allowed in the train. We will provide an attendant and security for each compartment. Bookings are open,” said Mr. Ravikumar.

The entire tour will be for 15 days and will cost Rs. 15,830 per person

UGC Advertisement 08.11.2018

Man arrested for ‘assaulting’ woman pilgrim at Sabarimala

Thiruvananthapuram:08.11.2018

A 29-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly assaulting a woman pilgrim at the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala. He suspected her to be of menstrual age.

Sooraj, hailing from Elanthur in Pathanamthitta district, was one of the main accused in the incident that took place on Tuesday when the hill shrine was opened for the two-day-long “Chithira Atta Thirunal,” a special ritual.

Hundreds of frenzied devotees had tried to attack and prevent the 52-year old woman, Lalitha Ravi, from offering prayers at the temple.

The man was arrested under non-bailable charges — IPC 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) and 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), police said. Investigation is on to nab the remaining accused, Pathanamthitta SP T Narayanan said. “The man was arrested on the basis of digital evidence and photographs,” he added.

Police have registered cases against 200 “identifiable” persons for trying to prevent Lalitha, who had come for the ‘choorunu’ (rice-giving) ceremony of her grandchild. Clapping and chanting ‘Ayyappa Saranam’, a huge crowd of devotees surrounded Lalitha, suspecting her to be of menstrual age, but police intervened and escorted her out.

The woman showed her Aadhaar card to the cops to prove that she did not belong to the “traditionally barred” age group of 10-50 years. Police later escorted her to the shrine so that she could offer prayers along with her other women relatives. AGENCIES

‘Cops watched as Sangh took over’

The Sangh Parivar virtually took over the Sabarimala temple during the 24 hours it opened while the police were mere spectators, the Congress said on Wednesday.

Leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala told reporters Wednesday: “The government and police were an abject failure as BJP and RSS activists had the final say in the temple town till 10 p.m. yesterday (Tuesday) when the temple closed after a day. "The police were mere spectators while these forces reigned supreme at the temple," he added. TNN

Of 7,300 visitors, only 200 real devotees at Sabarimala

KP.Saikiran@timesgroup.com

Thiruvananthapuram:08.11.2018

Of the 7,300 persons who visited Sabarimala for the Chithira Attam festival on Monday and Tuesday, only 200 were real devotees who had come with pure devotional intentions, an analysis by the police has found.

The remaining 7,000-plus people were actually the cadres mobilized by various groups, including the BJP and RSS, from across the state, the internal analysis concluded. Two hundred among them had in fact taken part in the protests that led to police action last month when the temple opened for the first time after the Supreme Court verdict allowing the entry for women between 10 and 50 years of age.

Top police sources said that the police have also used their face recognition software to identify the troublemakers who visited the temple again on Monday and Tuesday. “Those who visited the temple this time and who were involved in street-fights with the police last month have been identified by the software. Such people are being put under observation as the temple again opens for the Mandalam-Makaravilakku festival on the evening of November 16,” an officer said.

However, the police could not do much as those arrested had visited the temple as devotees with irumudikkettu, after coming out on bail. “There was nothing much the police could do as they were lawfully within their rights to visit the temple as devotees,” the officer said.

The police are planning a larger operation with more officers on the field and a tighter security apparatus using technology from November 16, if the Supreme Court rejects the review petitions filed against its earlier verdict on November 13.

Despite deploying 2,000-plus police officers under the supervision of two IGs, five SPs and 14 DSPs and reserve battalion members and commandos, the protesters had given police some tense moments in Sabarimala when the stopped and intimidated a Thrissur-native woman who they felt was less than 50 years of age. Even under such a tight security, police had to depend on RSS leader Valsan Thillankeri who used a police megaphone to ask the protesters to remain calm.

The police have so far arrested 3,741 people from across the state and registered 550 cases till date in connection with the Sabarimala protests. The police have decided to introspect its strategies in Sabarimala as the protesters still had a say in Sabarimala despite the strong action by the police and the unprecedented security measures.

Police have arrested 3,741 people from across Kerala and registered 550 cases till date in connection with the Sabarimala protests

Weight loss not always cosmetic surgery, says consumer court

Saeed.Khan@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad:08.11.2018

Weight reduction surgery is not always cosmetic surgery and the insurance company is liable to pay for it when it is performed to avoid multiple health complications which may prove life threatening for a patient, a consumer court observed this and asked the insurer to pay ₹3.17 lakh spent towards the treatment by the patient in the case.

The case involves a 64-yearold resident of Thaltej area, Leenaben Desai, who had weighed 102kg. She had a ₹5 lakh mediclaim cover from the New India Assurance Co Ltd. She was suffering from hyper acidity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is a chronic disease.

Desai’s physician referred her to a bariatric and gastroenterology surgeon, Dr Chirag Desai, who advised her for laparoscopic mini gastric bypass surgery because she was suffering from GERD, hyper acidity as well as fatty liver and morbid obesity. She underwent the surgery in May 2016 and paid ₹3.17 lakh for the treatment.

The patient claimed the amount on the medical bill but the insurer repudiated her claim a month later saying that obesity treatment and its complications are excluded from the scope of the mediclaim policy.

Desai sued the insurer with the Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, Ahmedabad city last year. The court last week ordered the insurance company to reimburse the medical bill with 8% interest as well as ₹5,000 compensation towards causing mental agony and legal expenditure.

Before awarding the refund to the patient, the consumer court said that the complainant was aged 64 years and her weight was 102 kg. The surgery was intended to address hypertension and morbid obesity. “In our opinion, the complainant did not undergo surgery to improve her physical appearance nor was it a cosmetic surgery considering her age at 64, but, in fact, it was aimed at ensuring that she does not develop complications which may later prove life threatening,” the court said.

The court also refused to buy the insurer’s argument that this surgery was excluded from the policy by a specific clause. It said that company had not spelt out as to how the policy clause was applicable to the case and why her claim was not admissible.

‘INSURANCE COMPANY IS STILL LIABLE’

AMRITA FULL TIME Ph.D programmes

Minister’s PA, his two sons die as car rams bus at Veppur

Bosco.Dominique@timesgroup.com

Cuddalore: 08.11.2018

The additional senior PA of fisheries minister D Jayakumar, R Loganathan, 69, and his sons L Sivaraman, 28, and L Nirmal Kumar, 26, were killed in a road accident involving his car and a Tamil Nadu state transport corporation bus on the Trichy National Highway near Veppur in Cuddalore district on Wednesday.

Loganathan’s daughterin-law S Shalini, 26, suffered severe injuries, while his three-year-old grandson escaped with minor injuries. Shalini has been admitted to Apollo Hospitals in Trichy.

Police said Loganathan and his family members were returning to Chennai from Thanthondrimalai, their native place in Karur district, after celebrating Diwali. The family members left the village early on Wednesday. Sivaraman was at the wheel.

A TNSTC bus from Veppur was proceeding in the same direction in front of the car. When the car crossed Iyyamkudi near Veppur, the bus suddenly made a turn to enter the service road. Sivaraman could not stop the car which then smashed into the rear of the bus.

Loganathan, Sivaraman and Nirmal Kumar were crushed to death on the spot. The front portion of the car was completely ripped off in the collision. Shalini sustained severe injuries while the boy escaped with minor injuries.

A highway patrol team and a team of policemen arrived at the spot and pulled the injured people out of the smashed vehicle. They were later sent to the Ulundurpet government hospital.

The bodies of the victims have been sent to the GH for postmortem. The Veppur police registered a case against the bus driver, Aadhimoolam from Kallakuruchi, under Sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304-A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code.

Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who condoled the deaths, said that he had directed the government officials concerned to extend all possible help to the family.



The car rammed into the rear side of the bus, killing three on the spot Loganathan, Sivaraman and Nirmal Kumar were crushed to death on the spot. The front portion of the car was completely ripped off in the collision. Shalini sustained severe injuries while the boy escaped with minor injuries

‘SEIZED CLOSE TO ₹1 CRORE IN RAIDS’

DVAC raids 100 govt offices for festive ‘gifts’, sends reports to depts
A.Selvaraj@timesgroup.com

Chennai:08.11.2018

Over the past week, officials of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) swept in to curb bribery in state government offices, which receive large quantities of ‘gifts’ around Diwali. Simultaneous DVAC raids at transport, police, registration and revenue offices set the cat among the pigeons.

Trucks filled with festive goodies were redirected to orphanages after panic over

the raids set in. As per DVAC report, they conducted several rounds of searches based on tip-offs. A senior DVAC officer said, “We received tips from various quarters and conducted searches in almost 100 places in the past one week. We seized close to ₹1 crore in the raids.”

“We have forwarded detailed reports to various departments concerned for permission to initiate corruption proceedings against staff from whom unaccounted money was seized,” he added.

The DVAC officials have also shared specific details about the huge seizure of money with their colleagues in the income tax department. A senior police officer said, “We reacted at the right time after we were given the go ahead for our searches as the inputs came in in the last minute in some cases.”

Sources said, two trucks loaded with fireworks and sweet boxes in transit on Kamarajar Salai off Marina Beach were redirected to slum clearance board tenements after news of the raids went out. In yet another incident, a van carrying sweets and crackers delivered from a leading hospital in Teynampet was redirected to an orphanage near Guindy, as a ‘surprise’ gift for its imates.

In Coimbatore, a vehicle carrying sweets and gift boxes headed to revenue office in Coimbatore was redirected to an orphanage near Sundarapuram off Coimbatore-Tiruppur road. The series of searches has restricted many government officials from taking gifts directly.

அசல் சான்றிதழ் வைத்திருக்க கூடாது கல்லுாரிகளுக்கு யு.ஜி.சி., அறிவுறுத்தல்

அசல் சான்றிதழ் வைத்திருக்க கூடாது கல்லுாரிகளுக்கு யு.ஜி.சி., அறிவுறுத்தல்

கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள் மாணவர்களின் அசல் சான்றிதழ்களை வைத்திருக்க உரிமையில்லை' என, பல்கலை மானியக்குழு அறிவுறுத்தியுள்ளது.

பல்வேறு காரணங்களால் கல்லுாரியிலிருந்து, மாணவர்கள்விலகும் போது கட்டணங்களையும்,அசல் சான்றிதழ்களையும் தர மறுப்பதாக,புகார்கள் எழும்புகின்றன. இதனை தெளிவுபடுத்தும் வகையில், பல்கலை மானியக்குழு சுற்றறிக்கை அனுப்பியுள்ளது.

சுற்றறிக்கையில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளதாவது:அசல் சான்றிதழ்களின் உண்மை தன்மையை, ஆய்வு செய்தவுடன் மாணவர்களிடம் கல்லுாரி நிர்வாகங்கள் ஒப்படைக்க வேண்டும்.

மாணவர்கள் கையெழுத்திட்ட நகல் சான்றிதழ்களே, கல்லுாரியின் பிற அனைத்து செயல்பாடுகளுக்கும் போதுமானது.அட்மிஷன் முடிவதற்கு, 15 நாட்களுக்கு முன்பு கல்லுாரியிலிருந்து வெளியேறும் பட்சத்தில், 100 சதவீதமும், 15 நாட்களுக்குள் எனில் 90 சதவீதமும், 15 நாட்களுக்கு மேல் 30 நாட்களுக்குள் வெளியேறுபவர்களுக்கு, 50 சதவீத கட்டணத்தையும் கல்லுாரி நிர்வாகம் திருப்பி அளிக்க வேண்டும்.

அட்மிஷனுக்கான கடைசி தேதி அறிவிக்கப்பட்டு, 30 நாட்களுக்குப் பின், கல்லுாரியிலிருந்து வெளியேறும் மாணவர்களுக்கு, கட்டணம் திரும்ப அளிக்க அவசியமில்லை.

இவ்வாறு, சுற்றறிக்கையில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

மாணவர்கள் யு.ஜி.சி., இணையதளத்தில், இது குறித்த விபரங்களை பார்க்கலாம்.

வரவிருக்கும் விசேஷங்கள்

• நவம்பர் 13 (செ) கந்தசஷ்டி விழா ஆரம்பம்
• நவம்பர் 21 (பு) மிலாடிநபி
• நவம்பர் 23 (வெ) திருக்கார்த்திகை
• நவம்பர் 23 (வெ) ஸ்ரீ சத்ய சாய்பாபா பிறந்த தினம்
• டிசம்பர் 18 (செ) வைகுண்ட ஏகாதசி
• டிசம்பர் 23 (ஞா) ஆருத்ரா தரிசனம்

PG student found walking without clothes in women’s hostel 

Staff Reporter 
 
Bengaluru, November 06, 2018 00:00 IST

A postgraduate student of Bangalore University was allegedly found walking without clothes in the women’s hostel on Jnana Bharathi campus on Sunday night. The student has been admitted to NIMHANS for an examination.

According to sources in the university, the third semester communications student was allegedly walking without clothes in the women’s hostel when a home guard on duty told him to return to his hostel. Students also said he was allegedly beaten up by the home guard and later, some of his friends took him to NIMHANS.

“We were shocked. The university should improve security arrangements,” said a student who lives in the hostel. Students registered their protest with the university authorities. Sources said BU had initially employed a private security agency for the security of students. Recently, BU decided to vest this responsibility with the home guards. After the private agency approached the court, BU now has both home guards and agency personnel patrolling the campus. BU has ordered an inquiry. Vice Chancellor K.R. Venugopal termed it a “minor” issue.

Mumbai: Woman dies due to botched-up blood transfusion; hospital, doctor told to pay kin Rs 6 lakh

TNN | Oct 30, 2018, 07.20 AM IST 

MUMBAI: BMC-run Sion Hospital and a senior oncosurgeon have been ordered to pay Rs 6 lakh compensation the husband of a school teacher who died in 2011 following complications after she was given a transfusion with the wrong blood group. The patient, Asha Singh, had been undergoing treatment for gallbladder cancer.

The Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission said documents and evidence showed deficiency in service. "Reports of the on-duty doctor and the blood bank technician clearly establish rashness and negligence in the way the blood sample was sent to the blood bank and the grouping and cross matching done, resulting in the patient being given group A blood instead of B blood group," the commission said.

The court, however, refused to grant Singh's claim of Rs 49 lakh. "We are of the opinion that the deceased suffered from very high grade cancer...and life expectancy was about seven months to a year. The claim appears to be exaggerated, so we are of the opinion that based on the receipts submitted by the complainant, medical expenses to the tune of Rs 10,000 and compensation toward mental agony and loss, Rs 6 lakh is just and proper," the commission said.

The complainant, Harindra U Singh, submitted that his wife had received chemotherapy and was responding well. He further stated on September 27, 2011, a routine blood examination revealed her haemoglobin levels had dropped and, as per the advice of senior oncosurgeon Dr KS Sethna, she got admitted to the hospital on October 8.

Singh alleged she received two units of A+ve blood instead of B+ve. She died two days later. Singh submitted an RTI query had revealed the hospital's house officer had sent her blood sample to the blood bank without proper labelling.

The hospital and the doctor opposed the complaint and said since she was admitted on a Saturday, the indoor case records were unavailable and her blood group was not known. They further stated they had conducted tests and after confirming her blood group was A+ve, they gave her a transfusion. They further submitted no reaction to the blood transfusion was observed. Their advocate contended it was a rare case of change in blood group due to immunosuppressive stage of the cancer. They claimed the complainant's wife died due to terminal cancer and not blood transfusion.

Medico legal reports in bad handwriting, must be typed: HC

TNN | Nov 4, 2018, 08.39 AM IST

  

LUCKNOW: After repeatedly summoning doctors to decipher unreadable medico legal reports in many cases, a Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court has directed the principal secretaries of home and medical and health services departments and the director general, medical and health services, to ensure that doctors submit computerised reports along with original handwritten ones for facilitating the courts of law, in the interest of administration of criminal justice.

The computerised report will have to be signed by the doctor as a true copy of original or by an authorized signatory after comparing it with the original. It would also form part of the police report at the time of conclusion of investigation, the court said.

Despite imposing costs on doctors, they have not been recording medico legal reports and postmortem reports in clear handwriting and hence court has to summon them for deciphering the reports for adjudication. A division bench of justice Ajai Lamba and justice D K Singh said, “Summoning a doctor simply for reading the report authored by him for bad handwriting does not make administrative sense.”

Disposing of a writ petition challenging an FIR, the court said, “We hereby take judicial notice of the fact that a doctor in a government medical facility is required to examine a large number of patients in a day. If for every hearing in revision jurisdiction, bail jurisdiction before the court of magistrate, court of sessions or the high court or in appellate jurisdiction, government medical practitioner is required to appear, the work of the doctor in the hospital shall suffer and a large number of patients would be deprived of the services of such medical specialist.”

SC Rejects Bail To Medical College Director Accused Of Cheating Students [Read Order] | Live Law

SC Rejects Bail To Medical College Director Accused Of Cheating Students [Read Order] | Live Law: The Supreme Court, on Friday, dismissed plea of a medical college director arrested on cheating charges and who was denied bail by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Dr. Ramesh Badlani was accused by many students of collecting fees of upto Rs 5 lakh from them for admission to medical and nursing courses at the institute, and discontinuing …

300 ரூபாய்க்கு சாப்பிட்டால் கார் பரிசு - காரைக்குடியை கலக்கும் விளம்பரம்!

சாய் தர்மராஜ்.ச
பாலமுருகன். தெ

காரைக்குடியில் உள்ள உணவகம் ஒன்றில் வாடிக்கையாளர்களுக்கு புதிய சலுகை அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதனால் கடையை நோக்கி பொதுமக்களின் படையெடுப்பு அதிகரித்துள்ளது.



கட்டிடக்கலைக்கு மட்டுமல்லாது அறுசுவை உணவுக்கு புகழ் பெற்றது காரைக்குடி. அசைவம் மற்றும் அறுசுவை உணவுகளுக்காக தமிழகத்தின் பல்வேறு மாவட்டங்களிலிருந்து, ஏராளாமனோர் காரைக்குடிக்கு படையெடுப்பர். அந்த வகையில் காரைக்குடி சண்முகா பாரடைஸ் சைவ உணவுக்கும், நாச்சம்மை ஹோட்டல் அசைவ உணவுக்கும் பிரபலம். இந்த இரண்டு கடைகளும் இணைந்து வாடிக்கையாளர்களுக்கு புதிய அறிவிப்பு ஒன்றை வெளியிட்டுள்ளது. அதன் படி, இந்த ஹோட்டல்களுக்கு வரும் வாடிக்கையாளர்கள் 300ருபாய்க்கு மேல் உணவருந்தினால், அவர்களுக்கு ஆல்டோ பெட்ரோல் கார் ,சைக்கிள், மிக்சி, கிரைண்டர், ஹாட்பாக்ஸ் போன்ற பொருள்களை குலுக்கல் முறையில் வழக்கப்படும் என தீபாவளி பரிசாக அறிவித்துள்ளது.

28.10 2018 முதல் 15.01.2019 வரை இந்த சலுகை உண்டு. காரை பரிசாக பெற வேண்டும் என்ற நோக்கில் உணவுப்பிரியர்கள் மட்டுமல்லாத பல்வேறு தரப்பினர் இந்த ஹோட்டலில் உண்ண குவிந்து வருகின்றனர். இதுவரையிலும் நகைகடை, மளிகைக் கடையில் மட்டுமே கொடுத்து வந்த பரிசுகள் இன்றைக்கு மதுபானக்கூடங்கள் முதல் உணவு விடுதிகள் வரைக்கும் நீண்டுள்ளன. இந்த அதிரடி அறிவிப்பு குறித்து தொழிலதிபர் சிலரிடம் பேசுகையில், "விளம்பரம் தான் இன்றைய விஞ்ஞான உலகில் வியாபாரத்தை தீர்மானிக்கும் இதய பகுதியாக உள்ளது. ஆகையால், தொழில் போட்டிகளை சமாளிக்க இதுபோன்ற பரிசுகளை அறிவிக்க வேண்டியது இருக்கிறது . பத்திரிகை விளம்பரம் தனிநபருக்கு போய் சேருகிறது. நுகர்வோர் மூலம் நாம் பெறும் லாபத்தை நுகர்வோருக்கே திரும்பவும் கொடுக்கிறோம் அது எங்களுக்கு மிக்க மிகிழ்ச்சியாக இருக்கிறது” என்கிறார்கள்.

"ஆயிரம் ரூபா போட்டேன்... இப்போ 5 கோடிக்கு வந்திருக்கு!" - ஈரோடு இளைஞரின் ‘தேனீ’ ரகசியம்

ரமேஷ் கந்தசாமி

துரை.நாகராஜன்  vikatan
தேன் கெட்டுப்போகாது, ஆனால் சுவை மாறும். அதனால் மதிப்புக் கூட்டி விற்பனை செய்வது லாபம் தரும். இதனால்தான் தேனீ வளர்ப்பு அதிகமான லாபம் தரும் என்று சொல்கிறார்கள்.


உணவுப் பொருட்களில் மிகுந்த இனிமையான, சத்தான பொருள்களில் முதலிடம் வகிப்பது தேன். உலகில் தேன் சந்தையில் நிகழும் பணப் பரிமாற்றம் மட்டும் பில்லியன் டாலரைத் தாண்டுகிறது. அமெரிக்காவில் மட்டும் ஓர் ஆண்டுக்கு 94 மில்லியன் கிலோ கிராம் தேன் உற்பத்தி செய்யப்படுகிறது. கனடாவில் ஓர் ஆண்டுக்கு 34 மில்லியன் கிலோ கிராம் தேன் உற்பத்தி செய்யப்படுகிறது. 2012-ம் ஆண்டு கணக்குப்படி, சீனா, துருக்கி, மற்றும் உக்ரைன் ஆகிய நாடுகள் தேன் உற்பத்தியில் முதல் மூன்று இடங்களை நிரப்பியிருந்தன. பில்லியன் டாலர் அளவிற்கு பணப் பரிமாற்றம் செய்யும் அளவுக்கு முக்கியத்துவம் வாய்ந்த தொழில் தேனீ வளர்ப்பு இன்று கலப்படங்களின் வருகையால் மதிப்பிழந்து காணப்படுகிறது.



தேவை இருக்கும் பொருளுக்குத்தானே சந்தையில் மரியாதையும் அதிகம் இருக்கும். இதைச் சரியாகப் புரிந்து கொண்ட பலரும், சுத்தமான தேனை உற்பத்தி செய்து, நல்ல லாபம் ஈட்டி வருகிறார்கள். ஈரோடு மாவட்டம், எழுமாத்தூர் ஊராட்சியில் உள்ள முதியன்வலசு கிராமத்தைச் சேர்ந்த தண்டாயுதபாணி கடந்த 10 ஆண்டுகளுக்கும் மேலாகத் தேன் வளர்ப்பில் ஈடுபட்டு வருகிறார். இதுதவிர தேனில் மதிப்புக் கூட்டல் பொருட்கள் செய்தும் லாபம் ஈட்டி வருகிறார். பண்ணையில் தேன் எடுத்துக் கொண்டிருந்தவரிடம் பேசினோம்.

"தேனில் அடைத்தேன், தேன் நெல்லி, சர்க்கரை நெல்லி, தேன் மெழுகுவர்த்தி எனப் பல பொருட்களை மதிப்புக் கூட்டல் செய்து வருகிறேன். தேனை மட்டும் மக்களுக்குக் கொடுத்தால் லாபம் குறைவாகத்தான் இருக்கும். அதனால்தான் மதிப்புக் கூட்டல் முறையில் விற்பனை செய்ய ஆரம்பித்தேன். சுத்தமான ஒரு கிலோ தேன் 550 ரூபாய்க்கு விற்பனையானால், தேன் நெல்லி கிலோ 1,000 ரூபாய்க்கு விற்பனை செய்ய முடியும்.


ஒரு பொருளை மதிப்புக் கூட்டினால் நிச்சயமாக லாபம் கிடைக்கும். அதிலும் தேனை மதிப்புக் கூட்டினால் இன்னும் லாபம் அதிகமாகக் கிடைக்கும். சந்தையில் டிமாண்ட் அதிகமாக இருப்பதால் சந்தையில் கிடைக்கும் தேன்கள் அதிகமாகப் போலியானதாகத்தான் இருக்கிறது. எங்களிடம் விசாரிக்கும் வாடிக்கையாளர்களும் மற்றவர்கள் கொடுக்கும் விலைக்கு ஏன் நீங்கள் தேன் கொடுக்கக் கூடாது என்று கேட்பார்கள். அவர்கள் கேட்பதுபோலவே தேன் கொடுத்தால் அது தரமான தேனாக இருக்காது. இத்தாலிய தேனீக்களில் இருந்து எடுக்கப்படும் தேன் ஒரு கிலோ 350 ரூபாய்க்குக் கொடுக்கலாம். ஆனால், நாட்டுத் தேனீக்களில் இருந்து எடுக்கப்படும் தேனை ஒரு கிலோ 350 ரூபாய்க்குக் கொடுக்க முடியாது. தேன் விலை அதிகமாக இருக்கிறது என்று யோசிப்பவர்களுக்கு ஒன்றுதான். குறைந்த விலையில் தேனை எதிர்பார்க்க வேண்டாம். இப்போதுள்ள காலகட்டத்தில் ஒரு கிலோ தேன் எடுப்பதுமுதல் பாட்டிலில் அடைத்து விற்பனை செய்வது வரை அதிகமாகச் செலவாகிறது. மக்கள் குறைந்த விலைக்குக் கேட்கும்போதுதான் கலப்படமும் சந்தையில் அதிகமாகிறது.

எதிர்காலத்தில் சுத்தமான தேன் கிடைப்பது கொஞ்சம் கஷ்டம்தான். உண்மையான தேன் பண்ணைகள் என சொல்லிக் கொண்டு அதிகமான தேன் பண்ணைகள் போலியாக இயங்கி வருகின்றன. நாங்கள் கொடுக்கும் தரமான தேனால் வாடிக்கையாளர்கள் அதிகமாக எங்களிடம் வந்து வாங்கிச் செல்கிறார்கள். வெளி மார்கெட்டில் தேன் 350 ரூபாய்க்கு விலை போனாலும், மக்கள் ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் கொடுத்து வாங்கும் அளவுக்குத் தயாராக இருக்கிறார்கள். மேல் நாட்டுத் தேனீக்கள் மூலம் கிடைக்கும் தேன் வருடம் முழுவதும் கிடைக்குமா என்று உறுதியாகச் சொல்ல முடியாது. நாட்டுத் தேனீக்கள் மூலம் தேன் வருடம் முழுவதும் கிடைத்துக் கொண்டிருக்கும். சீசனில் கிடைக்கும் தேனின் அளவு குறையுமே தவிர, முழுமையாக நின்று விடாது. இதுதவிர, நாட்டுத் தேனில்தான் சத்துகளும் அதிகமாக இருக்கும். சுத்தமான தேன் அதிக கெட்டித் தன்மையுடன் இருக்காது. எப்போதுமே நீர்மத் தன்மையுடன்தான் காணப்படும்.



இந்தத் தொழிலை ஆரம்பிக்கும்போது வெறும் ஆயிரம் ரூபாயில்தான் ஆரம்பித்தேன். இன்று என்னிடம் இருப்பதுபோல பண்ணை அமைக்கக் 5 கோடி ரூபாய் தேவைப்படும். ஒரு தொழிலை துவங்கிவிட்டால் அதனை விரிவுபடுத்திக் கொண்டே இருக்க வேண்டுமே தவிர, இதுபோதும் என்று எப்போதுமே நின்றுவிடக்கூடாது. அதேபோல தொழில்நுட்பங்களுக்கு ஏற்ப தொழிலை நவீனப்படுத்திக் கொண்டே இருக்க வேண்டும். 10 இந்திய தேன் பெட்டிகளை வைத்தால் ஒரு விவசாயி வருடத்திற்குக் குறைந்தபட்சம் இண்டு லட்ச ரூபாய் லாபம் சம்பாதிக்கலாம். 10 பெட்டியில் இருந்து வருடத்திற்கு 100 கிலோ தேன் கிடைக்கும். ஒரு கிலோ தேன் விலை 550 ரூபாய். இதன் மூலமாக 55 ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் வருமானம் கிடைக்கும். வருடத்திற்கு 10 கிலோ மகரந்தம் கிடைக்கும். ஒரு கிலோ மகரந்தத்தின் விலை 2,000 ரூபாய். அது மூலமா 20 ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் கிடைக்கும். 10 கிலோ தேன் மெழுகு மூலமா 5 ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் கிடைக்கும். மேலே சொன்ன அனைத்துமே பொதுவாக தேனீ வளர்ப்பாளர்களுக்கு கிடைக்கும் வருமானம்தான். எனக்கு இந்தத் தொழிலில் செலவுபோக மாதம் இரண்டு லட்சம் ரூபாய் லாபமாகக் கிடைக்கிறது. அடைத்தேன் கிலோ 1200 ரூபாய்க்கும், சர்க்கரை நெல்லி கிலோ 350 ரூபாய்க்கும், மெழுகுவத்தி 500 ரூபாய்க்கும், தேன் நெல்லி ஒரு கிலோ 1,000 ரூபாய்க்கும், இத்தாலி தேன் கிலோ 350 ரூபாய்க்கும் விற்பனை செய்கிறேன். வருமானம் சீசனைப் பொறுத்து மாறுபடும்.

கிடைக்கும் தேன் கெட்டுப்போகாது, ஆனால் நிச்சயமாகச் சுவை மாறும். அதனால் மதிப்புக் கூட்டி விற்பனை செய்துவிடுவது உடனடி லாபம் தரும். இதுதவிர, மதிப்புக் கூட்டல் தொழிலில் நம் உற்பத்தி செய்யும் பொருள் மக்களுக்கு அத்தியாவசியமான பொருளாக இருக்க வேண்டும். அப்போதுதான் சந்தையில் எப்போதுமே பொருட்கள் நமக்கு நிறைவான வருமானத்தைக் கொடுக்கும். எங்கள் பண்ணையில் தேனீப்பெட்டிகள், தேனீக்கள் விற்பனை செய்தும் வருகிறோம். ஒரு தொழிலில் முழுமையாக இறங்கினால் அதைப் பற்றி முழுமையாகத் தெரிந்து வைத்திருக்க வேண்டியது அவசியம். அப்போதுதான் தொழிலில் சறுக்காமல் சாதிக்க முடியும். மதிப்புக் கூட்டல் தொழிலில் முக்கியம் தரம். என் விளம்பரதாரர்கள், என்னிடம் வரும் வாடிக்கையாளர்கள்தான். அந்த அளவிற்கு என் தேன் பொருட்களின் தரம் இருக்கும். தொழிலில் போட்டி இருப்பது ஆரோக்கியம்தான்... உருவாக்கும் பொருட்களில் போட்டி இருப்பது நிச்சயமாக ஆரோக்கியமானது அல்ல. வெறும் தேனை விற்றுக் கொண்டிருக்கும்போது கிடைத்த வாடிக்கையாளர்களை விடத் தேன் மதிப்புக் கூட்டல் பொருட்களில் கிடைத்த வாடிக்கையாளர்கள் எண்ணிக்கை அதிகம். இப்போது தமிழ்நாடு மட்டுமல்லாமல் மற்ற மாநிலங்களிலும் அதிக வாடிக்கையாளர்கள் கிடைத்திருக்கிறார்கள்" என்றார்.

தேனிலும் மதிப்புக் கூட்டல் தொழில் செய்யலாம் என நினைப்பவர்களுக்கு இவர் நல்ல உதாரணம்.